Definition of: auto-da-fe

(ô′tō·də·fā′, ou′-) noun plural au·tos-da-fé (ô′tōz-, ou′tōz-)
The public announcement and execution of the sentence of the Inquisition, with the attendant ceremonies, as the burning of heretics at the stake, etc. Also Spanish au·to de fe (ou′tō dā fā′). [ < Pg., lit., act of the faith]